🔗 Share this article American Regulators Initiate Investigation into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Collisions US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions. Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”. This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety. Alarming Case Findings The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology. NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”. The agency reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries. Additional Issues Identified The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”. Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”. Continuing Official Examination The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months. In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal. Company's Stated Position The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.” Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.